The NPFL Super 6 is in its penultimate round with another three matches lined up at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos today, writes TUNDE LIADI
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Championship Playoffs will enter Matchday Four today with nothing much to separate between current league leaders, Enyimba (five points) and bottom side Lobi Stars (two points).
All the three Matchday 3 games ended in stalemates on Wednesday.
The NPFL Super 6 has been characterized by many draws with seven of the nine fixtures already decided ending in draws while only two have produced wins.
Enyimba, one of the two teams that have managed to win a game were held to a draw by ambitious Bendel Insurance. The latter held on to their unbeaten record which now stood at 21 games. They have drawn 11 of the last 12 league games they have played.
Remo Stars scored early in the second game of the day against Sunshine Stars but the Owena Whales pegged them back early in the second half while Lobi Stars got a draw against Rivers United in the night game.
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Today, Rivers United will go in search of their second win when they tackle Bendel Insurance. The Pride of Rivers pinned Sunshine Stars by a lone goal but they got only draws against Remo Stars and Lobi Stars. Knowing that no team is certain of anything yet after three games anything other than the maximum points may hinder them from defending the title they won last season.
Rivers United are second on the table with five points while Insurance who have turned drawn specialists are fourth with three points. The Benin Arsenals are unbeaten in all competitions but it will be of no relevance if they end the season without continental ticket.
In the second game of the day, Lobi Stars will slug it out with Remo Stars. Both teams will go at daggers drawn knowing that only a win will brighten their continental chances. The Sky Blue Stars were favoured to beat Sunshine Stars on Wednesday but they were unable to protect their lead and had to settle for their third of the Super 6.
Lobi Stars have disappointed in their initial two games but they managed to repel Rivers United on Wednesday in a game they were expected to lose. The Pride of Benue have two points out of possible nine and anything other than a win against Remo Stars could end their continental ambition.
Enyimba are up against Sunshine Stars in the third game of the day. The People’s Elephant temporarily hold the top spot with five points but they will put themselves in a promising position with a win against the Owena Whales who are fifth with two points from three games.
Sunshine Stars were the dark horse before the start of the NPFL Championship Playoffs but they have proved bookmakers wrong with their modest performances. They were unlucky to lose to Rivers United in the first game and could have won against Remo Stars had their legitimate penalty appeal not been snubbed by the match officials on Wednesday.
Will the Owena Whales produce another surprising result against Enyimba?
Today’s Fixtures
- Rivers United vs Bendel Insurance
- Lobi Stars vs Remo Stars
- Sunshine Stars vs Enyimba